Officials warn of prepaid phones in crimes, but mum of latest ‘perp’ killings

Santo Domingo.- Telecoms have more than five million unregistered prepaid phones that will be suspended by Dominican Republic’s regulator, Indotel, National Police Manuel Castro warned Tuesday, just days after numerous killings of alleged criminals by agents.

He said starting June 12, users of prepaid phone lines will have to register.

Castro said the measure will prevent that citizens figure with phone numbers in their name without their knowledge, and will help fight crime,

He said an investigation found that more than 80% of mobile phones used by perpetrators of various crimes are prepaid lines or so- called "maco" (toad) cell phones.

In a National Palace press conference, the official said Indotel data show that of the more than 10 million mobile phones in the country, two million are post-paid and eight million prepaid.

He said that’s the reason telecoms haven’t been able to update information of the millions of prepaid phone users.

No questions

Castro, accompanied by Justice minister Francisco Dominguez, declined reporters’ questions on the latest deaths of alleged criminals in reported shootouts, which many sectors is the result of the numerous sectors which called for “putting down thugs.”